The Tasmanian Greens today released their election policy commitment to work with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities to deliver a negotiated formal Treaty with the State.
Greens Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said that a formal Treaty with Tasmania’s First People, recognising their sovereignty, and acknowledging the taking by force of their lands, is long overdue.
“Tasmania has unfinished business marring our reconciliation process. We need to negotiate a formal treaty with our First People,” Ms O’Connor said.
“The Greens are committed to working cooperatively to deliver a formal Treaty acknowledging the sorry history and committing to tangle steps towards reconciliation that empowers Tasmanian Aborigines.”
“The first step is to consult with Aboriginal communities over the appropriate mechanism by which a formal Treaty can be negotiated, its participants and the timeframe for negotiations.”
“The identified mechanism arising from this initial agreement will then be established, with recognised authority to negotiate a formal Treaty between the State of Tasmania and Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples.”
“Examples of successful treaties internationally are those which formalise rights and responsibilities, establish a path forward based upon mutual goals, and the principles of inclusion and opportunity.”
“This would be a national first, and it is fitting for Tasmania to lead the nation on this unfinished business, as it builds on previous significant milestones on our reconciliation journey including being the first State to make a formal Apology to the Stolen Generation.”
“A treaty would be a powerful symbol of redress and reconciliation but it would also make a tangible and practical difference in everyday life for Aboriginal communities.”
“Health, education and economic opportunities are as much State responsibilities as they are Federal, therefore given the lack of movement by the Commonwealth to progress a national Treaty, the Greens believe it is necessary and appropriate for the State to step in and take the initiative.”
“As an example of local state action, I also urge my parliamentary colleagues in the Upper House to please prioritise debate on the Aboriginal Land Returns Bill 2012 when Parliament is recalled on Tuesday.”
“The return of these lands at larapuna and Rebecca Creek, totalling less than 160 hectares, would be a significant and tangible step towards reconciliation now.”
Ms O’Connor also repeated the Greens’ calls for Australia Day to be moved to another date.
“The Greens have long been on the record calling for our national day of celebration to be moved from Invasion Day to a day that unites us all as proud Australians.”
“Every year this issue raises its head and it will not go away until the day of national celebration no longer falls on the day of national mourning for our Aboriginal citizens. Lets just get on, and move it.”
Download: Unfinished Business: Time for a Tasmanian Aboriginal Treaty; Greens’ Policy Initiative, 26 January 2014:
Jan26_Unfinished Business-Tas Aboriginal Treaty_c OConnor_ATTACH.pdf
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson
